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Let me tell you about a country that completely rewired my brain. Albania.
It is one of those countries that just… doesn’t come up in conversation. You hear about Croatia, Greece, Montenegro. But Albania? It sits right there on the Adriatic coast, and somehow it stays invisible.
So when we finally went — for one full week — I came back with a head full of stories and a heart full of respect for this place.
Is Albania Safe for Families?
I’m going to answer this with a story, because it tells you everything.
We were in a small café in one of the towns along the coast. The kids were running around, my husband was ordering coffee, and I set my MacBook down on the table while I went to grab something from the car. Then we decided to walk to the beach. Then lunch happened. Then ice cream. Then more beach.
I forgot my MacBook in that café.
For the entire day.
When we came back in the late afternoon — fully panicked, already mentally writing off the laptop — there it was. Sitting exactly where I left it. Nobody had touched it. The owner of the café just smiled and said, “We kept it for you.”
That’s Albania.
I’m not saying you should leave your electronics lying around. But the level of honesty we experienced there — repeatedly — was something I haven’t felt in many places in Europe. People went out of their way to help us. Drivers stopped to let the kids cross the street. Restaurant owners came to the table to ask if our children liked the food. There was this constant, quiet kindness that made us feel genuinely safe.
So yes. Albania is safe. At least that’s our experience.
Is Albania Clean?
Now, Let’s Talk About the Elephant in the Room
Albania is not the cleanest country you will visit.
I’m saying this with love, because I believe in being honest. You will see trash on some roads. You will see construction that looks unfinished. Some sidewalks are cracked. Some beaches have litter.
If you come from Western Europe or the US, this might surprise you. But here’s what I learned — don’t judge a country by its sidewalks. Judge it by its people. And the Albanian people are some of the warmest, most generous, most genuinely kind people we have ever met.
Also — and this is important — the country is changing fast. New hotels are going up. Beaches are getting cleaner. The most beautiful and the cleanest one that we visited is in Ksamil.
Roads are being paved. Albania is in the middle of a transformation, and you can feel the energy. It’s like visiting a country that’s waking up, stretching, and getting ready to shine.
If you go now, you get to see it before the rest of the world catches on. And trust me — they will catch on.
What We Actually Did for a Week?
The Albanian Riviera
If you haven’t seen photos of the Albanian Riviera, prepare yourself. The water is this impossible shade of turquoise — clearer than anything I’ve seen in Croatia or Greece. We went to Ksamil, which has these tiny islands you can almost swim to from the beach. The kids were obsessed. We spent two full days just at the beach, eating grilled fish at little seaside restaurants, and watching the sun set over the water.
Sarandë
This is a bigger coastal town and it was our base for a few days. It has a nice promenade, plenty of restaurants, and it’s very walkable with kids. We found a gelato place that we went back to every single evening. Some traditions form fast.
Gjirokastër
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most visually stunning towns I’ve ever walked through. The whole old town is built on a steep hillside, with stone houses and cobbled streets. There’s a massive castle at the top. The kids loved exploring the castle — there are old cannons, an abandoned military plane from the Cold War, and views that stretch for miles. It’s like stepping into a history book.
Butrint National Park
Another UNESCO site, and this one blew my mind. Ancient Greek ruins, Roman remains, a medieval castle, all surrounded by forest and lagoons. We walked through ruins that are 2,500 years old. The kids didn’t care about the history, obviously — they were chasing lizards — but as a parent, standing in a place where Greeks and Romans and Byzantines and Venetians all left their mark… it gives you chills.
Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër)
This is a natural spring where water comes up from deep underground. The pool is the most intense blue color you’ve ever seen — almost unreal. We went in the morning when it was quiet, and it felt like discovering a secret. The kids threw rocks in the water (naturally), and we all just stood there, staring at the color.
The Food
Albanian food is hearty, simple, and delicious. Think: comfort food by the sea.
A few things that stood out:
- Byrek- flaky pastry filled with cheese or spinach. You find it everywhere, and it costs almost nothing. The kids ate it for breakfast every morning.
- Lavë Kosi — lamb baked in yogurt. This is Albania’s national dish and it’s incredible. Rich, tangy, falling-apart tender.
- Fresh fish— along the coast, the fish is caught the same day. Grilled whole, served with lemon and olive oil. Simple. Perfect.
- Baklava —layers of phyllo, walnuts, and sugar syrup. Different from the Turkish version, but just as addictive.
And the prices. Let me just say this — Albania is absurdly affordable compared to the rest of Europe. A full family dinner with drinks? Less than you’d pay for two coffees in London.
What I Wish I’d Known Before Going?
A few practical things for anyone considering Albania with kids:
- Cash is still king. – Many places don’t take cards, especially outside the bigger towns. Bring euros and exchange them for lek (Albanian currency) when you arrive.
- The roads are… an adventure. Some roads are excellent. Some are not. Mountain roads can be narrow and winding. If you’re driving, take it slow and don’t try to cover too many kilometers in one day.
- Accommodation is great and affordable. We booked apartments through Booking.com and the quality was consistently excellent. Clean, modern, well-equipped. Many places had pools, which is a lifesaver with kids.
- People love children. I cannot stress this enough. Albanians adore kids. Waiters brought our children extra desserts. Shop owners gave them candies. Random strangers smiled and waved at them. It was honestly one of the most kid-friendly countries we’ve visited.
- Language. Most younger Albanians speak some English. Older people may not. But a smile and gestures go a long way. And if you speak any Italian — use it. Many Albanians understand Italian from years of watching Italian TV.
Would We Go Back?
In a heartbeat.
Albania is raw. It’s honest. It’s not polished and packaged like some overcrowded Mediterranean destinations. And that’s exactly what makes it special.
I left my MacBook in a café for eight hours and it waited for me. My kids ate fresh fish overlooking the bluest water they’d ever seen. We explored 2,500-year-old ruins with no crowd barriers and no ticket lines.
That’s the Albania I know. And I think more families should know it too.
If you’re a family that likes adventure, doesn’t mind a little dust, and values real human connection over Instagram perfection — Albania is your place.
Pack your bags. Bring cash. And maybe don’t leave your laptop in the café on purpose.
But if you do? It’ll probably still be there when you get back.
